Remember This Day -- Good Friday

It began in darkness . . .

And after taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." Luke 22:17-19

And after this, he went away from them to the garden. He knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." And an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:42-44

And in darkness they came for him. With swords and clubs and the betrayal of a kiss from one whom he loved.

In this hour—
darkness reigned.

“I do not know him.”

“I was never with him."

“I am not one of his!”

In the mourning,
His beloved ran from him.

Left him to suffer alone.

Mocked. Whipped. Humiliated.

Wearing a crown of thorns, He was crucified.

And a written notice above him read:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Luke 23:38

Nailed to a cross, broken and dying, he uttered words that transcend history.

Echoing even now.
Today.
Good Friday.

Father, forgive them . . . (Luke 23:34)


This day you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)


Woman, behold your son . . .(John 19:26-27)


My God, my God . . . (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)


I thirst. (John 19:28)

It is finished! (John 19:30) . . .

And darkness came over the whole land, for the sun stopped shining. And in this darkness, he cried out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." And when he had said this, he breathed his last.
Luke 23:44-46

And there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph. He took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and then he departed. Matthew 27:57-60

And as it began, it ended in darkness --

this Day
Good Friday.

WHO WAS THIS ONE THAT THEY CRUCIFIED?
THIS MAN THEY CALLED THE KING OF THE JEWS?
THE ONE CLOTHED IN FLESH, THE ONE WITH NO BEGINNING AND WITHOUT END.

As you leave this place,
go with PEACE and HOPE.
On this Holy day,
May Jesus Christ,
who for YOUR sake gave his life so that YOU might live,
keep you and strengthen you.
Amen.

Hymn: Were You There